Damnations Day is a newcomer from Australia that impressed us all here on Grande Rock. Their melodic heavy prog power metal music is very intense and enjoyable. This is a new band to watch out for. Check out below, what the singer, guitarist & songwriter, Mark Kennedy told us about the band, the music and not only…
Hey Mark… you debut album took us by storm here on Grande Rock! Kudos dude!
M: Cheers guys! The response to the album is very humbling.
First of all, do tell us what happened since 2005 when you officially started the band. What held you back all those years and you didn’t release your debut earlier?
M: We started out young, my brother Dean and I were about 16 and Luke about 18. The band went through a couple of line-up changes, us three remaining as the core, and really, it came down to the maturity of the music we were producing.
By the way, how did you come up with the name Damnations Day and what does it mean for you?
M: As teenage metal-heads it originally just sounded cool. Then as we became more aware of all the shit the world goes through, wars, natural disasters, religion etc. it became a well-suited name, plus the abbreviation DDay rolls of the tongue nicely.
Although it’s hard to define your sound, I’d like to see how you would describe it to someone who’s reading these lines now…
M: It is hard to say since we draw off so many influences, but its Melodic Heavy Metal, definitely having its power/thrash elements.
I bet that you had several songs from the “old days” to use and re-record for the debut. How did you choose which song would make it or not? Are there any leftovers for a future use or what?
M: When we decided to write the album, definitely a lot got scratched. Although there were many “old day” riffs and melodies that made the cut, it was hard letting go of some sections, but they may reappear in the future.
What does the album title “Invisible, the Dead” declare? Are there any deeper meanings?
M: The title reflects my personal experience with conforming to trends that would have seen me moving away from the musical pathways. Put simply doing what everyone else expected me to do and living life to a formula, and feeling Invisible without a voice. The song itself reflects recognizing people in the same boat out there every day.
Please make a comment about each one of the songs…
M: “Invisible, the Dead”: Well structured I think, strong melodies and choruses. Good Introduction to the album.
“The Meaning”: Dean Wells played an Intense solo on this one... \m/
“I Am”: Easily the most fun one to sing live! Best used to capture the audience’s attention.
“Reaper”: Was written about how the natural disasters and wars were lining up with that written in Revelations. I recited a passage in a pitch-shifted voice in the later part of the song.
“A Ghost in Me”: A haunting melodic song. Our mum likes this song…
“Lucid Dreaming”: Was written about reoccurring lucid dreams I was having.
“Reflections”: Fast paced, cool riffs, driving beats…
“Carried Above the Sun”: I love the strong beat in the background of this one, simple but seriously effective. Big fills with huge production on the drums, big kick and snare and toms.
“A World to Come”: My mum also likes this one, “DDay: something for the mums”…
You cooperated with the producer Dean Wells and also guitarist on Teramaze. Your brother plays the drums on Teramaze, too. Are you satisfied by the final outcome? I think it’s heavy, tight & dynamic. Great job in general.
M: Dean Wells was an incredible person to work with, not only is he a great talent, but his knowledge with songwriting and production helped me a phenomenal amount when recording this album. It was the most rewarding/exhausting experience of my life and I loved every moment. As for my bro couldn’t imagine anybody else by my side, very hard working talented drummer. We all learnt so much together! And all continue to be great friends.
There’s also a video for the homonymous track online. Are there gonna be any other videos for any of your acoustic tunes for example?
M: I’d love to do at least one more for a heavy song and one for an acoustic. We had a great time doing the first one. Ideas have been brewing!
Are there any tour plans not only for Australia but for Europe or US as well?
M: Hope so!! There are offers in the works, but we will jump at the opportunities and make sure we put on killer shows all over the world. That’s the dream!
What shall we wait from Damnations Day for the next years? What’s that you wish to achieve?
M: We would love to establish ourselves as a must see live band, and gain a solid fan base. Also follow up “Invisible, the Dead” with an even stronger more mature album, continuing to write the music we enjoy hoping others feel the same.
Australia is truly a metal force than nobody can sidestep. How’s the scene in your homeland these days?
M: We have some serious talent down here, although for the heavy metal genres it’s a smaller scene. In some ways it’s great because it’s an intimate vibe where you build great relationships/friendships with other bands. Everyone helps each other out and in turn the scene is beginning to build again. Australia has such a diverse range of musicians and bands and its very common for a wide variety of subgenres to share the stage.
M: Cheers guys! The response to the album is very humbling.
First of all, do tell us what happened since 2005 when you officially started the band. What held you back all those years and you didn’t release your debut earlier?
M: We started out young, my brother Dean and I were about 16 and Luke about 18. The band went through a couple of line-up changes, us three remaining as the core, and really, it came down to the maturity of the music we were producing.
By the way, how did you come up with the name Damnations Day and what does it mean for you?
M: As teenage metal-heads it originally just sounded cool. Then as we became more aware of all the shit the world goes through, wars, natural disasters, religion etc. it became a well-suited name, plus the abbreviation DDay rolls of the tongue nicely.
Although it’s hard to define your sound, I’d like to see how you would describe it to someone who’s reading these lines now…
M: It is hard to say since we draw off so many influences, but its Melodic Heavy Metal, definitely having its power/thrash elements.
I bet that you had several songs from the “old days” to use and re-record for the debut. How did you choose which song would make it or not? Are there any leftovers for a future use or what?
M: When we decided to write the album, definitely a lot got scratched. Although there were many “old day” riffs and melodies that made the cut, it was hard letting go of some sections, but they may reappear in the future.
What does the album title “Invisible, the Dead” declare? Are there any deeper meanings?
M: The title reflects my personal experience with conforming to trends that would have seen me moving away from the musical pathways. Put simply doing what everyone else expected me to do and living life to a formula, and feeling Invisible without a voice. The song itself reflects recognizing people in the same boat out there every day.
Please make a comment about each one of the songs…
M: “Invisible, the Dead”: Well structured I think, strong melodies and choruses. Good Introduction to the album.
“The Meaning”: Dean Wells played an Intense solo on this one... \m/
“I Am”: Easily the most fun one to sing live! Best used to capture the audience’s attention.
“Reaper”: Was written about how the natural disasters and wars were lining up with that written in Revelations. I recited a passage in a pitch-shifted voice in the later part of the song.
“A Ghost in Me”: A haunting melodic song. Our mum likes this song…
“Lucid Dreaming”: Was written about reoccurring lucid dreams I was having.
“Reflections”: Fast paced, cool riffs, driving beats…
“Carried Above the Sun”: I love the strong beat in the background of this one, simple but seriously effective. Big fills with huge production on the drums, big kick and snare and toms.
“A World to Come”: My mum also likes this one, “DDay: something for the mums”…
You cooperated with the producer Dean Wells and also guitarist on Teramaze. Your brother plays the drums on Teramaze, too. Are you satisfied by the final outcome? I think it’s heavy, tight & dynamic. Great job in general.
M: Dean Wells was an incredible person to work with, not only is he a great talent, but his knowledge with songwriting and production helped me a phenomenal amount when recording this album. It was the most rewarding/exhausting experience of my life and I loved every moment. As for my bro couldn’t imagine anybody else by my side, very hard working talented drummer. We all learnt so much together! And all continue to be great friends.
There’s also a video for the homonymous track online. Are there gonna be any other videos for any of your acoustic tunes for example?
M: I’d love to do at least one more for a heavy song and one for an acoustic. We had a great time doing the first one. Ideas have been brewing!
Are there any tour plans not only for Australia but for Europe or US as well?
M: Hope so!! There are offers in the works, but we will jump at the opportunities and make sure we put on killer shows all over the world. That’s the dream!
What shall we wait from Damnations Day for the next years? What’s that you wish to achieve?
M: We would love to establish ourselves as a must see live band, and gain a solid fan base. Also follow up “Invisible, the Dead” with an even stronger more mature album, continuing to write the music we enjoy hoping others feel the same.
Australia is truly a metal force than nobody can sidestep. How’s the scene in your homeland these days?
M: We have some serious talent down here, although for the heavy metal genres it’s a smaller scene. In some ways it’s great because it’s an intimate vibe where you build great relationships/friendships with other bands. Everyone helps each other out and in turn the scene is beginning to build again. Australia has such a diverse range of musicians and bands and its very common for a wide variety of subgenres to share the stage.
Are you into that digital/downloading trend or do you believe that’s killing music little by little? What’s there for a band when most people are downloading their albums and do not even care to listen to them most of the times? What shall change so as to make it through?
M: My brother (Dean) and I were always the guys that would buy two albums, one to have and listen to and one to keep unopened. I like to think the guy downloading a new album, if he enjoys it that much, wants to go out and get the vinyl or CD. (i.n.: Yeap, that’s the ideal thing for one to do!)
OK it’s time for our weird questions!!! Which are the best 3 heavy metal albums of all time according to you?
M: Crimson Glory: “Transcendence”…
Metallica: “Master of Puppets”/”Black Album”…
Queensryche: “Operation Mindcrime”…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
M: Metallica “Black Album”. Still the greatest production/song writing I have ever heard! And the income it still generates proves that it is an absolutely timeless record.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
M: “Ziltoid the Omniscient”. I feel that ET would relate to Devin Townsends insane genius, especially if they love coffee. Devin Townsend might just be the next link in human evolution.
Which is your weirdest fear?
M: DOLLS, my mother had one I swear used to move and cause me all kinds of shit at night when I was a child.
Which is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?
M: Spent a whole childhood summer without wearing shoes, thinking if I made my feet tough enough I would never have to wear shoes again…. Didn’t work. (i.n.: Hehehe!)
Football, Basketball, Sex, Music or Philosophy? Which one do you prefer the most?
M: Probably would turn off the sport to have sex whilst listening to music, then following it up with a philosophical reflection of the recent past activities. Then maybe repeat the three
Asian hooker vs Stripper girl… What’s your choice & why?
M: Asian Hooker! The part where they sing “Asian Hooker” was stuck in my head for weeks, probably their best song.
Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
M: Because you don’t have to put in all the effort for that shiver down the spine you get when a great song reaches its climax. In saying that, when you put them together = winning combination. (i.n.: Sureee!)
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Natalie Portman, when she’s speaking her Israeli language, its amazing! Or Kate Beckinsale, if you’ve seen her in Underworld then there’s no need to explain.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react? J
M: Not well… Not well at all… My brother’s collection would suddenly become a lot smaller. (i.n.: Hahaha!)
I think we’re done Mark. Say anything you’d like to say but I didn’t ask you… Thx for the music… Take care dude…
M: Thanks sincerely for taking the time to listen to our music. A lot of hard work goes into the production of an album and chasing the dream that comes with it. Hopefully cross paths more in the future! Thank you so much from all of DDAY!!
M: My brother (Dean) and I were always the guys that would buy two albums, one to have and listen to and one to keep unopened. I like to think the guy downloading a new album, if he enjoys it that much, wants to go out and get the vinyl or CD. (i.n.: Yeap, that’s the ideal thing for one to do!)
OK it’s time for our weird questions!!! Which are the best 3 heavy metal albums of all time according to you?
M: Crimson Glory: “Transcendence”…
Metallica: “Master of Puppets”/”Black Album”…
Queensryche: “Operation Mindcrime”…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
M: Metallica “Black Album”. Still the greatest production/song writing I have ever heard! And the income it still generates proves that it is an absolutely timeless record.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
M: “Ziltoid the Omniscient”. I feel that ET would relate to Devin Townsends insane genius, especially if they love coffee. Devin Townsend might just be the next link in human evolution.
Which is your weirdest fear?
M: DOLLS, my mother had one I swear used to move and cause me all kinds of shit at night when I was a child.
Which is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?
M: Spent a whole childhood summer without wearing shoes, thinking if I made my feet tough enough I would never have to wear shoes again…. Didn’t work. (i.n.: Hehehe!)
Football, Basketball, Sex, Music or Philosophy? Which one do you prefer the most?
M: Probably would turn off the sport to have sex whilst listening to music, then following it up with a philosophical reflection of the recent past activities. Then maybe repeat the three
Asian hooker vs Stripper girl… What’s your choice & why?
M: Asian Hooker! The part where they sing “Asian Hooker” was stuck in my head for weeks, probably their best song.
Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
M: Because you don’t have to put in all the effort for that shiver down the spine you get when a great song reaches its climax. In saying that, when you put them together = winning combination. (i.n.: Sureee!)
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Natalie Portman, when she’s speaking her Israeli language, its amazing! Or Kate Beckinsale, if you’ve seen her in Underworld then there’s no need to explain.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react? J
M: Not well… Not well at all… My brother’s collection would suddenly become a lot smaller. (i.n.: Hahaha!)
I think we’re done Mark. Say anything you’d like to say but I didn’t ask you… Thx for the music… Take care dude…
M: Thanks sincerely for taking the time to listen to our music. A lot of hard work goes into the production of an album and chasing the dream that comes with it. Hopefully cross paths more in the future! Thank you so much from all of DDAY!!